Side seating infant carrier

ABSTRACT

A side seating infant carrier which is adapted to support an infant or young child on an adult wearer&#39;s hip and is provided with a retention strap arrangement which is specifically adapted to hold the infant or young child within a seat portion defined by the carrier. As a supplement to the retention strap, the carrier is also provided with a pair of leg straps which are extensible about respective ones of the infant&#39;s legs. The infant carrier of the present invention is further provided with a waist belt arrangement adapted to provide optimal support to the lower back/lumbar of the wearer, as well as an adjustable shoulder strap arrangement which is configured to promote enhanced comfort and sizing flexibility.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/749,063 entitled SIDE SEATING INFANT CARRIER filed May 15,2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to carriers adapted to be wornby an adult in order to support and carry an infant or young child. Moreparticularly, the present invention is directed to a side seating infantcarrier which is adapted to support an infant or young child upon one ofthe hip regions of an adult while being held by the one of the adult'sarms.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known to parents of infants or young children,shoulder-supported infant carriers are extremely popular and commonlyused to transport an infant or young child. Shoulder supported infantcarriers as currently known in the art come in a wide range of designsand styles. A common attribute of these carriers is that they offer“hands free” operation, and allow the adult wearer to carry the infantwhile performing other activities. One currently known infant carrier isa frame-type carrier which typically supports the infant on the back ofthe wearer. Currently more popular than frame-type carriers areframeless or soft-sided carriers which typically support the infant onthe front or chest of the adult wearer. However, there is also know inthe prior art soft-sided carriers which are adapted to support an infanton the back or on one of the hips of the adult wearer. Still further,there has also been developed in the prior art convertible carrierswhich are configured to allow the infant to be supported in alternatecarrying positions, including the front or back of the wearer, and thefront or hip of the wearer.

In currently known infant carriers, those which are configuredspecifically for or convertible to a hip-carrying position are becomingincreasingly popular since the positioning of the infant or young childon the hip of the wearer generally mimics the carrying position andweight distribution which adults frequently use to transport theirchildren without the aid of a carrier. Additionally, by supporting theinfant or young child upon one of the hips, the wearer is typically ableto move at least one arm and hand freely to accomplish other tasks.

Examples of currently known frameless infant hip carriers are found inU.S. Pat. No. 5,813,580 to Fair; U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,256 to Ive; U.S.Pat. No. 5,224,637 to Columbo; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,898 to Columbo.Another currently known hip carrier is sold by Playtex under thetrademark Hip Hammock® and is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D425,696. Thougheach of these currently known hip carriers provides certain ones of theadvantages highlighted above, they all possess certain deficiencieswhich detract from their overall utility. One such deficiency lies inthe absence of retention straps which are adapted to maintain the infantor young child within the main body of the carrier to preventinadvertent falls from therewithin. Another deficiency lies in theabsence of structures which provide optimal support and comfort to thelower back/lumbar of the adult wearer. The present invention addressesand overcomes these deficiencies by providing a side seating infantcarrier which is adapted to support an infant or young child on an adultwearer's hip and is provided with a retention strap arrangement which isspecifically adapted to hold the infant or young child within a seatportion defined by the carrier. The infant carrier of the presentinvention is further provided with a waist belt arrangement adapted toprovide optimal support to the lower back/lumbar of the wearer. Theseand other advantages attendant to the present invention will bedescribed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sideseating infant carrier which is adapted to support an infant or youngchild on an adult wearer's hip. The carrier of the present invention isprovided with a uniquely configured retention strap arrangement which iscooperatively engaged to the inner surface of the main panel thereof,and is specifically adapted to hold the infant or young child within aseat portion defined by the main panel when the same is positionedagainst the wearer in a prescribed manner. As a supplement to theretention strap, the carrier is also provided with a pair of leg strapswhich are extensible about respective ones of the infant's legs. Theinfant carrier of the present invention is further provided with anadjustable waist belt arrangement adapted to provide optimal support tothe lower back/lumbar of the wearer, as well as an adjustable shoulderstrap arrangement which is interfaced to the main panel of the carrierin a manner promoting enhanced comfort and sizing flexibility.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other features of the present invention, will becomemore apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the side seating infant carrierconstructed in accordance with the present invention, the broken linesshowing an infant and adult to illustrate an exemplary manner of usingthe present infant carrier;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the infant carrier of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the infant carrier of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the infant carrier of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a side seating infant carrierconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the infant carriershown in FIG. 5 taken along axis A-A of FIG. 5, illustrating anadjustable length coupling strip of the infant carrier in a first,retracted configuration; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating theadjustable length coupling strip in a second, extended configuration.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detaileddescription to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings for the purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, andnot for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-4 depict a side seatinginfant carrier 10 which is specifically adapted to support an infant oryoung child 12 (shown in phantom FIG. 1) on either the right or left hipof an adult wearer 14 (also shown in phantom FIG. 1).

The carrier 10 comprises a main body or panel 16 which defines anarcuate top edge 18 and an opposed bottom edge 20. Extending between thetop and bottom edges 18, 20 are first and second side edges 22, 24 whichextend in spaced relation to each other. The main panel 16 furtherdefines an inner surface 26 and an opposed outer surface 28. In thecarrier 10, the main panel 16, and in particular the inner and outersurfaces 26, 28 thereof, are defined by stitching various strips ofmaterial to each other in a prescribed pattern or arrangement. Thematerial for the main panel 16 is selected such that substantially theentire inner surface 26 and portions of the outer surface 28 arefabricated from a breathable, mesh-like material. In addition, the mainpanel 16 is preferably fabricated such that a layer of sponge-likecushioning material is captured between the inner and outer surfaces 26,28, thus imparting a soft, padded quality to the main panel 16. As bestseen in FIG. 3, the outer surface 28 of the main panel 16 includes apocket 25, the open end of which may be selectively closed through theuse of a zipper or similar closure mechanism.

The main panel further includes a fold seam 27 which extends between thefirst and second side edges 22, 24 in spaced generally parallel relationto the bottom edge 20. The fold seam 27 is also disposed in relativeclose proximity to the bottom edge 20, with a lower panel section 29 ofthe main panel being defined between the bottom edge 20 and fold seam27. As seen in FIGS. 1-4, when the carrier 10 is configured for properfitting on the wearer 14, the main panel 16 is folded along the foldseam 27 in a manner which causes that portion of the inner surface 26defined by the lower panel section 29 to directly face a portion of theremainder of the inner surface 26. The advantages attendant to foldingthe main panel 16 along the fold seam 27 will be discussed in moredetail below.

Secured to the upper portion of the first side edge 22 is a sleeve 30 ofthe carrier 10. The sleeve 30 defines a distal, open end 32 whichprovides access into a hollow interior compartment defined by the sleeve30. As is best seen in FIG. 1, the sleeve 30 is attached to the firstside edge 22 such that one side of the sleeve 30 extends insubstantially continuous relation to the top edge 18 of the main panel16.

Attached to the upper portion of the second side edge 24 of the mainpanel 16 is the proximal end of an elongate shoulder strap 34 of thecarrier 10. The attachment location of the shoulder strap 34 to thesecond side edge 24 essentially mirrors the attachment location of thesleeve 30 to the first side edge 22. In this regard, one side of theshoulder strap 34 extends in substantially continuous relation to thetop edge 18 of the main panel 16.

In the carrier 10, the shoulder strap 34 defines a distal end 36 whichis that end opposite to the proximal end attached to the second sideedge 24. The distal end 36 is advanced through a buckle 38 which issecured to the interior of the sleeve 30 and protrudes slightly from theopen end 32 thereof. Additionally, attached to the shoulder strap 34 inrelative close proximity to the distal end 36 thereof is a maleconnector 40 which is sized and configured to be releasably engageableto a corresponding, complementary female connector 42 attached to theshoulder strap 34 at a location which is somewhat centrally disposedbetween the distal end 36 and the proximal end attached to the secondside edge 24. In the carrier 10, the female connector 42 is permanentlyaffixed to a prescribed location of the shoulder strap 34. In contrast,the male connector 40 is adapted to be adjustable, and thus positionableanywhere along that portion of the shoulder strap 34 extending betweenthe buckle 38 and the distal end 36. The releasable connection of themale and female connectors to each other after the distal end 36 hasbeen advanced through the buckle 38 effectively maintains the shoulderstrap 34 in a looped configuration about the neck and one shoulder ofthe wearer 14 in the manner best shown in FIG. 1. The male connector 40may be selectively positioned along the section of the shoulder strap 34extending between the buckle 38 and the distal end 36 as needed toaccommodate the particular size and body type of the wearer 14.

The shoulder strap 34 of the carrier 10 further preferably comprises anelongate, padded sleeve 44 which is advanced over portion of theshoulder strap 34 extending between the female connector 42 and theproximal end attached to the second side edge 24. The sleeve 44 ispartially fabricated from a layer of breathable, mesh-like materialwhich is backed by a sponge-like, cushioning layer. The sleeve 44 isadjustable, and may be selectively positioned anywhere along the lengthof that section of the shoulder strap 34 extending between the femaleconnector 42 and the proximal end attached to the second side edge 24 toprovide enhanced comfort to the shoulder and neck of the wearer 14 whenthe shoulder strap 34 is advanced there over as also shown in FIG. 1.

As is best seen in FIGS. 2-4, secured to the lower portions ofrespective ones of the first and second side edges 22, 24 is a pair ofelongate lower flap portions 46 which extend in opposed relation to eachother. More particularly, the lower flap portions 46 are attached torespective ones of the first and second side edges 22, 24 such that oneside of each of the lower flap portions 46 extends in substantiallycontinuous relation to the bottom edge 20 of the main panel 16.Additionally, one side of each of the lower flap portions 46 oppositethat extending in continuous relation to the bottom edge 20 extends insubstantially aligned relation to the fold seam 27 of the main panel 16.

Attached to the inner surface of that lower flap portion 46 protrudingfrom the first side edge 22 is a female connector 48. Additionally,attached to the inner surface of the lower flap portion 46 protrudingfrom the second side edge 24 is the proximal end of an elongate waistbelt 50 of the carrier 10. In addition to the proximal end, the waistbelt 50 defines a distal end 52 and includes a male connector 54 whichis attached thereto in relative close proximity to the distal end 52thereof. The male connector 54 is sized and configured to be releasablyengageable to the corresponding, complementary female connector 48attached to the other lower flap portion 46. Though the female connector48 is permanently affixed to a prescribed location on the inner surfacethe lower flap portion 46 protruding from the first side edge 22, themale connector 54 is adapted to be adjustable and thus selectivelypositionable along the waist belt 50. The releasable connection of themale and female connectors 54, 48 to each other effectively maintainsthe waist belt 50 in a looped configuration about the waist of thewearer 14 in the manner also shown in FIG. 1.

As indicated above, in the carrier 10, the male connector 54 of thewaist belt 50 may be selectively positioned along the waist belt 50 asneeded to accommodate the waist size of the wearer 14. To provide afurther measure of adjustability, it is further contemplated that thewaist belt 50 may comprise separate first and second waist belt sections50 a, 50 b which are cooperatively engaged to each other by a buckle 56.The first waist belt section 50 a defines the proximal end of the waistbelt 50 which is attached to the inner surface of that lower flapportion 46 protruding from the second side edge 24. The end of the firstwaist belt section 50 a opposite that attached to the lower flap portion46 is itself advanced through the buckle 56. The second waist beltsection 50 b defines the distal end 52 of the waist belt 50, with thatend of the second waist belt section 50 b opposite that defining thedistal end 52 itself being permanently attached to the buckle 56. Thus,the adjustability of the orientation of the buckle 56 relative to thefirst waist belt section 50 a coupled with the adjustability of theorientation of the male connector 54 relative to the second waist beltsection 50 b allows the waist belt 50, as a whole, to be manipulatedinto any one of a wide range of different sizes as needed to accommodatethe waist size of the wearer 14.

The waist belt 50 of the carrier 10 further comprises an elongate,padded sleeve 58 which is advanced over a portion of the second waistbelt section 50 b between the buckle 56 and the distal end 52. Thesleeve 58, like the above-described sleeve 44, is also partiallyfabricated from a layer of breathable, mesh-like material which isbacked by a sponge-like, cushioning layer. The sleeve 58 is alsoadjustable, and may be selectively positioned anywhere along the lengthof the second waist belt section 50 b between the buckle 56 and thedistal end 52. Typically, it is contemplated that the sleeve 58 will bepositioned so as to provide comfort and support to the lower back/lumbarregion of the wearer 14 when the waist belt 50 is advanced about thewaist of the wearer 14.

In the carrier 10, the outer surfaces of the lower flap portions 46 areeach defined by a layer of the breathable, mesh-like material which alsodefines the majority of the inner surface 26 of the main panel 16,including that portion of the inner surface 26 which is defined by thelower panel section 29. Additionally, that portion of the outer surface28 of the main panel 16 defined by the lower panel section 29 issimilarly preferably fabricated from such breathable, mesh-likematerial. In using the carrier 10 of the present invention, it iscontemplated that the main panel 16 will be folded along the fold seam27 in the above-described manner as a precursor to advancing the waistbelt 50 about the waist of the wearer 14. As indicated above, thefolding of the main panel 16 along the fold seam 27 causes that portionof the inner surface 26 defined by the lower panel section 29 todirectly face a portion of the remainder of the inner surface 26. As aresult, that portion of the outer surface 28 of the main panel 16defined by the lower panel section 29 is presented for direct engagementto the wearer 14, as are the outer surfaces of the lower flap sections46. In this regard, the female connector 48 and waist belt 50 which areattached to the inner surfaces of respective ones of the lower flapportions 46 are outwardly presented away from the wearer 14 as a resultof the folding of the main panel 16 along the fold seam 27. Thus, whenthe waist belt 50 is thereafter extended about the waist of the wearer14 and the male connector 54 cooperatively engaged to the correspondingfemale connector 48, the lower flap portions 46 provide an effective,padded barrier between the female connector 48 and the wearer 14, andfurther between a proximal portion of the waist belt 50 (i.e. the firstwaist belt section 50 a) and the wearer 14.

The carrier 10 of the present invention further comprises a pair ofupper flap portions 60 which are best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and areattached to the main panel 16 so as to extend along portions ofrespective ones of the first and second side edges 22, 24 thereof. Moreparticularly, one end of one of the upper flap portions 60 is attachedto the main panel 16 so as to extend substantially along the length ofthe seam defined between the first side edge 22 and the sleeve 30.Similarly, one end of the remaining one of the upper flap portions 60 isattached to the main panel 60 to extend substantially along the lengthof the seam defined between the second side edge 24 and the proximal endof the shoulder strap 34. The inner surfaces of the upper flap portions60 are each preferably defined by a layer of the aforementionedbreathable, mesh-like material.

As is further shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, attached to the outer surface ofthat upper flap portion 60 disposed adjacent the shoulder strap 34 is afemale connector 62. Attached to the outer surface of the remainingupper flap potion 60 disposed adjacent the sleeve 30 is the proximal endof an elongate retention strap 64. The retention strap 64 defines adistal end 66 which is that end opposite to the proximal end attached tothe upper flap portion 60 disposed adjacent the sleeve 30. Attached tothe retention strap 64 in relative close proximity to the distal end 66thereof is a male connector 68 which is sized and configured to bereleasably engageable to the corresponding, complementary femaleconnector 60 attached to the remaining upper flap portion 60. In thecarrier 10, the female connector 62 is permanently affixed to aprescribed location on that upper flap portion 60 disposed adjacent theshoulder strap 34. In contrast, the male connector 68 is adapted to beadjustable, and thus selectively positionable anywhere along thatportion of the retention strap 64 extending between the distal end 66and the opposed proximal end attached to the upper flap portion 60disposed adjacent the sleeve 30. In this regard, the male connector 68may be selectively positioned along the retention strap 64 as needed toaccommodate the infant 12 within the carrier 10 as will be described inmore detail below.

As indicated above, the carrier 10 is used by initially advancing theshoulder strap 34 about the neck and one shoulder of the wearer 14, withthe shoulder strap 34 being maintained in its looped configuration bythe receipt of the male connector 40 thereof into the correspondingfemale connector 42. Thereafter, the main panel 16 is folded along thefold seam 27 in the above-described manner, with the waist belt 50thereafter being advanced about the waist of the wearer 14 andmaintained in a looped arrangement about the waist of the wearer 14 as aresult of the receipt of the male connector 54 into the correspondingfemale connector 48. Upon both the shoulder strap 34 and waist belt 50being cooperatively engaged to the wearer 14 in the aforementionedmanner, the infant 12 may be placed between the body of the wearer 14and the main panel 16 of the carrier 10. Due to the arrangement of thecarrier 10 upon the wearer 14, the majority of the weight of the infant12 within the carrier 10 is transferred to one of the hips of the wearer14. In this regard, a lower portion of the inner surface 26 of the mainpanel 16, including that portion of the inner surface 26 which definesthe lower panel section 29, defines a seat portion 70 for the infant 12within the carrier 10, as is best shown in FIG. 1.

Upon the infant 12 being positioned upon the seat portion 70 of thecarrier 10, the retention strap 64 is advanced over and along the chestof the infant 12, with the male connector 68 thereafter being releasablysecured to the corresponding female connector 62. As will be recognizedby those of ordinary skill in the art, upon the engagement of the maleand female connectors 68, 62 to each other, the retention strap 64,which extends under the arms of the infant 12 within the carrier 10,effectively prevents the infant 12 from inadvertently falling out of thecarrier 10. When the retention strap 64 is advanced over the infant 12in the aforementioned manner, the inner surfaces of the upper flapportions 60 are typically brought into direct contact with the infant12, and provide a cushioned, padded barrier between the female connector62 and the infant 12, and further between the proximal portion of theretention strap 64 and the infant 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, there is shown a carrier 10 a constructed inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The carrier10 a is substantially similar in construction and function to thecarrier 10 described above, with only the distinctions between thecarriers 10 a, 10 being highlighted below.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the carrier 10 a of the present inventioncomprises a pair of leg straps 72 which are attached to the main panel16 in spaced relation to each other. Each of the leg straps 72 comprisesan upper strap segment 74, one end of which is rigidly attached to theinner surface 26 of the main panel 16. More particularly, one end of theupper strap segment 74 of one of the leg straps 72 is attached to theinner surface 26 adjacent the first side edge 22, with one end of theupper strap segment 74 of the remaining leg strap 72 being attached tothe inner surface 26 adjacent the second side edge 24. Attached to thatend of each upper strap segment 74 opposite the end attached to theinner surface 26 of the main panel 16 is a male connector 76.

In addition to the upper strap segment 74, each of the leg straps 72includes a lower strap segment 78. As further seen FIG. 5, one end ofeach lower strap segment 78 is attached to the bottom edge 20 of themain panel 16. Attached to that end of each lower strap segment 78opposite the end attached to the bottom edge 20 is a female connector80. As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, themale connector 76 of the upper strap segment 74 of each leg strap 72 isreleasably engageable to the female connector 80 of the correspondinglower strap segment 78. Advantageously, the releasable engagement of themale connectors 76 to respective ones of the female connectors 80 allowsthe leg straps 72 to be maintained in looped engagement about respectiveones of the thighs of the legs of the infant 12 seated within the seatportion 70 of the carrier 10 a. In this regard, the looped leg straps 72supplement the effect of the retention strap 64 and assist ineffectively preventing the infant 12 from inadvertently falling out ofthe carrier 10 a.

As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is further contemplated that the main panel16 of the carrier 10 a may be configured to allow for a selectiveincrease in the size of the seat portion 70 thereof as may be needed toaccommodate a growing infant 12. In this regard, the seat portion 70 ofthe carrier 10 a may include an adjustable length coupling strip 82which is interposed between the lower panel section 29 of the main panel16 and the remainder of the main panel 16. More particularly, thecoupling strip 82 has a first edge which is attached to the innersurface 26 of the main panel 16, and an opposed second edge which isattached to the lower panel section 29 of the main panel 16. Thus, thesecond edge of the coupling strip 82 extends along the fold seam 27normally defined between the lower panel section 29 of the main panel 16and the remainder thereof.

Integrated into the coupling strip 82 is an interlocking fastener, suchas a zipper 84. The zipper 84 includes two sets of teeth 86 which, whenreleasably secured to each other, are operative to maintain the couplingstrip 82 in a first, retracted configuration as shown in FIG. 6.Conversely, when the zipper 84 is manipulated so as to release the twosets of teeth 86 from engagement to each other, the coupling strip 82 iscapable of achieving a second, extended configuration as shown in FIG.7. In the carrier 10 a, the movement of the coupling strip 82 from itsretracted configuration to its extended configuration effectivelyincreases the distance separating the opposed first and second edgesthereof by approximately six inches, thus effectuating a correspondingsix inch increase in the width of the seat portion 70 of the carrier 10a as may be needed to accommodate an infant 12 of increased size andweight. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatdiffering sizes for the coupling strip 82 other than for the six inchwidth highlighted above are considered to be within the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

To prevent any inadvertent expansion of the seat portion 70 as may occurif the zipper 84 were to fail, the main panel 16 of the carrier 10 a ispreferably provided with an auxiliary retention mechanism which includesa pair of snap connectors 88 which are attached to the inner surface 26of the main panel 16 in relative close proximity to the first edge ofthe coupling strip 82 secured thereto. The coupling strip 82 itselfincludes a pair of snap connectors 90 attached thereto which arearranged so as to be releasably engageable to respective ones of thesnap connectors 88 when the coupling strip 82 is in its retractedposition as shown in FIG. 6. As will be recognized by those of ordinaryskill in the art, the snap connectors 90 will typically be disengagedform the snap connectors 88 as a precursor to the separation of the setsof teeth 86 of the zipper 84 from each other as needed to effectuate theexpansion of the coupling strip 82 to its extended position as is shownin FIG. 7.

This disclosure provides an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by thisexemplary embodiment. Numerous variations, whether explicitly providedfor by the specification or implied by the specification, such asvariations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturingprocess may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure.

1. An infant carrier, comprising: a main panel; an elongate shoulderstrap having opposed proximal and distal ends secured to prescribedlocations on the main panel; an elongate waist belt having opposedproximal and distal ends secured to prescribed locations on the mainpanel; and an elongate retention strap having opposed proximal anddistal ends secured to prescribed locations on the main panel; a pair oflegs straps, each of the leg straps having opposed proximal and distalends secured to prescribed locations on the main panel; the retentionstrap being sized and configured to be extensible over the chest andunder the arms of an infant seated within the carrier, with the legstraps being sized and configured to be extensible over respective onesof the thighs of the infant seated within the carrier.
 2. The infantcarrier of claim 1 wherein: the main panel defines an inner surface, anouter surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed first and secondside edges extending between the top and bottom edges; the proximal endof the shoulder strap is permanently attached to a portion of the secondside edge of the main panel; and the shoulder strap is releasablyengageable to a portion of the first side edge of the main panel.
 3. Theinfant carrier of claim 2 wherein: a shoulder strap buckle ispermanently attached to the first side edge of the main panel; theshoulder strap is extensible though the shoulder strap buckle; a femaleconnector is permanently attached to the shoulder strap between theproximal and distal ends thereof; and a male connector is adjustablymounted to the shoulder strap between the distal end thereof and theshoulder strap buckle; the releasable engagement of the male connectorto the female connector subsequent to the advancement of the shoulderstrap through the shoulder strap buckle being operative to maintain theshoulder strap in a looped configuration about the neck and one shoulderof a wearer of the infant carrier.
 4. The infant carrier of claim 3wherein the shoulder strap buckle is at least partially housed within atubular sleeve attached to and extending along a portion of the firstside edge of the main panel.
 5. The infant carrier of claim 3 whereinthe shoulder strap further comprises an elongate, tubular shoulder padsleeve which is selectively positionable therealong between the proximalend thereof and the female connector permanently mounted thereto.
 6. Theinfant carrier of claim 1 wherein: the main panel defines an innersurface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed firstand second side edges extending between the top and bottom edges; a pairof lower flap portions are attached to and protrude from respective onesof the first and second sides edges in opposed relation to each other;the proximal end of the waist belt is permanently attached to one of thelower flap portions; and the waist belt is releasably engageable to theremaining one of the lower flap portions.
 7. The infant carrier of claim6 wherein: a female connector is permanently attached to the remainingof the one of the lower flap portions; and a male connector isadjustably mounted to the waist belt; the releasable engagement of themale connector to the female connector being operative to maintain thewaist belt in a looped arrangement about the waist of a wearer of theinfant carrier.
 8. The infant carrier of claim 7 wherein the waist beltcomprises: a first waist belt section defining the proximal end; asecond waist belt section defining the distal end; and a waist beltbuckle cooperatively engaging the first and second waist belt sectionsto each other; the first waist belt section being adjustably mounted tothe waist belt buckle, with the second waist belt section beingpermanently attached to the waist belt buckle.
 9. The infant carrier ofclaim 8 further comprising an elongate, tubular waist belt sleeve whichis selectively positionable along the second waist belt section betweenthe male connector and the waist belt buckle.
 10. The infant carrier ofclaim 1 wherein: the main panel defines an inner surface, an outersurface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed first and second sideedges extending between the top and bottom edges; a pair of upper flapportions are attached to the main panel in spaced relation to eachother; the proximal end of the retention strap is permanently attachedto one of the upper flap portions; and the retention strap is releasablyengageable to the remaining one of the lower flap portions.
 11. Theinfant carrier of claim 10 wherein: a female connector is permanentlyattached to the remaining of the one of the lower flap portions; and amale connector is adjustably mounted to the retention strap; thereleasable engagement of the male connector to the female connectorbeing operative to maintain the retention strap in a looped arrangementabout the chest of an infant within the infant carrier.
 12. The infantcarrier of claim 10 wherein: the proximal end of the shoulder strap isattached to a portion of the second side edge of the main panel along ashoulder strap seam; a tubular sleeve is attached to a portion of thefirst side edge of the main panel along a sleeve seam; one of the upperflap portions is attached to the second side edge of the main panelalong the shoulder strap seam; and the remaining one of the upper flapportions is attached to the first side edge of the main panel along thesleeve seam.
 13. The infant carrier of claim 1 wherein: the main paneldefines an inner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge,and opposed first and second side edges extending between the top andbottom edges; the proximal end of each of the legs straps is permanentlyattached to the inner surface of the main panel adjacent a respectiveone of thr first and second side edges thereof; and the distal end ofeach of the legs straps is permanently attached to the bottom edge ofthe main panel.
 14. The infant carrier of claim 13 wherein each of theleg straps comprises: an upper strap segment defining the proximal end;a lower strap segment defining the distal end; and a male connector isadjustably mounted to the upper strap segment; and a female connector ispermanently attached to the lower strap segment; the releasableengagement of the male connector to the female connector being operativeto maintain the leg strap in a looped arrangement about one of the legsof an infant within the infant carrier.
 15. The infant carrier of claim1 wherein the main panel defines an inner surface, an outer surface, atop edge, a bottom edge, opposed first and second side edges extendingbetween the top and bottom edges, and a fold seam extending between thefirst and second side edges in spaced, generally parallel relation tothe bottom edge, the folding of the main panel along the fold seam beingoperative to facilitate the formation of a seat portion in the mainpanel.
 16. The infant carrier of claim 15 wherein the outer surface ofthe main panel defines a pocket.
 17. The infant carrier of claim 15wherein the main panel includes a coupling strip which is integratedinto the seat portion and selectively movable between a retractedposition and an extended position, the movement of the coupling strip tothe extended position facilitating an increase in the size of the seatportion.
 18. An infant carrier, comprising: a main panel defining aninner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposedfirst and second side edges extending between the top and bottom edges;an elongate retention strap having opposed proximal and distal endssecured to prescribed locations on the main panel; a pair of legsstraps, each of the leg straps having opposed proximal and distal endssecured to prescribed locations on the main panel; an elongate shoulderstrap having opposed proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of theshoulder strap being permanently attached to a portion of the secondside edge of the main panel; a shoulder strap buckle permanentlyattached to the first side edge of the main panel, the shoulder strapbeing extensible though the shoulder strap buckle; a female connectorpermanently attached to the shoulder strap between the proximal anddistal ends thereof; and a male connector adjustably mounted to theshoulder strap between the distal end thereof and the shoulder strapbuckle; the releasable engagement of the male connector to the femaleconnector subsequent to the advancement of the shoulder strap throughthe shoulder strap buckle being operative to maintain the shoulder strapin a looped configuration about the neck and one shoulder of a wearer ofthe infant carrier.
 19. The infant carrier of claim 18 wherein theshoulder strap buckle is at least partially housed within a tubularsleeve attached to and extending along a portion of the first side edgeof the main panel.
 20. An infant carrier, comprising: a main paneldefining an inner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge,and opposed first and second side edges extending between the top andbottom edges; a pair of upper flap portions attached to the main panelin spaced relation to each other; an elongate shoulder strap havingopposed proximal and distal ends secured to prescribed locations on themain panel; a pair of legs straps, each of the leg straps having opposedproximal and distal ends secured to prescribed locations on the mainpanel; and an elongate retention strap having opposed proximal anddistal ends, the proximal end being permanently attached to one of theupper flap portions, with the retention strap being releasablyengageable to the remaining one of the lower flap portions; theretention strap being sized an configured to be extensible over thechest and under the arms of an infant seated within the carrier.